Though badged a Mercedes-Benz, the B-Class Electric Drive’s heart and soul is from Tesla Motors.

Yes, Tesla Motors is the supplier of the electric components that make the B-Class, well, umm, electric. Though this is not Tesla’s first time as a supplier for other automaker’s EVs (Toyota Rav4 EV and the last-gen Smart Fortwo Electric Drive immediately jump to mind), this is Tesla’s first foray with a manufacturer that carries the luxury clout of Mercedes-Benz.

What’s this mean for Tesla Motors? Well, if we believe the words of analyst Tim Beyers at Motley Fool, then the Tesla-powered B-Class Electric Drive will be Tesla’s “game-changing” in 2014. As Beyers states:

“A small but growing portion of Tesla’s revenues is derived from creating fully electric drivetrain systems for other car manufacturers, including Mercedes and Toyota Motor.”

It’s this “growing portion of Tesla’s revenues” that convinces Beyers that the B-Class Electric Drive is a “big win” for Tesla and persuades Beyers to reiterate that he—as well as Motley Fool as a whole— is “bullish” (optimistic of rising stock prices) about Tesla.

What’s your take? Is the B-Class Electric Drive an important vehicle for Tesla Motors? Or is it only Mercedes-Benz that’ll garner all the attention for its first-ever production electric vehicle?

The association with Mercedes is not a good thing because they are known to be oilies proxies, which could backfire Trojan horse way, and in more Mercedes has in Europe an image of old rich person‘s car in steep contrast with the Tesla high tech golden boy’s car image. I know that Mercedes has a more dynamic image in the US but seen from Europe Mercedes looks just the opposite of Tesla. An old fashion old person’s car with a very conservative, huge ostentatious “oilies dream” front grill. Apples and oranges actually.

Mercedes-Benz is just another feather in Tesla’s hat. The game changer will be when Tesla comes out withe an affordable consumer model (Blue Star). Once that hits the market (if another car company hasn’t beat them to it) I believe we’ll see the consumer model being the game changer.

Let’s hope the MB w/Tesla drive-train sells in greater numbers than the Toyota Rav 4 w/Tesla drive-train has done so far (even with substantial incentives in CA.). I honestly can’t figure-out why the Rav 4 EV isn’t selling like hotcakes; for 90+ Tesla range & good power w/Rav 4 comfort & utility. I know Toyota only wants to sell enough to meet ZEV requirements but they are having to cut the price by 10K to move any of them???